2022 Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Comedy Series

It can’t be said enough: there has been a lot of television this past year! With that, the races will get tougher on the road to grabbing a nomination. This is even more true for the series categories (Drama Series, Comedy Series, Limited Series), which are supposed to represent the best of the year. With so many slots open in Outstanding Comedy Series (eight, to be exact), the race is wide open to new and returning Emmy hopefuls that are vying for recognition in the category. 

There are three shows that distinguish themselves as being as close to “locks” in this category as there could be. Ted Lasso, the winner of this award last year, is sure to join the pool of nominees when they’re announced in July, with performance Emmy noms to back it up. Another series that will be near-lock is HBO’s Barry which has returned with a vengeance and looks to be huge competition this year. Last year’s winner of both the writing and directing for a comedy series, Hacks, is currently airing its second season now and will also be big competition this year for its sophomore outing. Perhaps not a lock, but huge competition, is Abbott Elementary. Its thirteen-episode first season brought ABC big ratings (and the series will receive the coveted 9pm ET time slot on Wednesday nights when it returns in the fall) and will surely bring them attention from the Television Academy. 

There’s also The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which won this award for its first season and has been nominated for its next two, having aired its fourth season earlier this year. Looking to grab some acting nominations as well, Maisel will likely be a sturdy competitor. Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building aired its first season last year, but likely has the continued attention and support behind its cast and will likely ride that support into a series nomination this year. Hulu also has Reservation Dogs in the ring, having been dubbed Best New Scripted Series by the Independent Spirit Awards and also named an AFI TV Program of the Year last year. Atlanta has previously been nominated for both of its previous seasons, so the third season (which just ended) is still very competitive in this category, especially if it can garner more attention for its actors. What We Do in the Shadows found itself with Emmy love for its second season, and with a third season that steps up the laughs, it could find itself in the midst of the Emmy conversation. 

Here are my 2022 Emmy predictions for Outstanding Comedy Series.

1. Ted Lasso (AppleTV+)
2. Barry (HBO)
3. Hacks (HBO Max)
4. Abbott Elementary (ABC)
5. Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
6. Atlanta (FX)
7. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)
8. What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Look Out For: The Flight Attendant (HBO Max); Reservation Dogs (FX); Russian Doll (Netflix); Insecure (HBO)

Photo: Karen Ballard/HBO Max